Biodegradable

by T Webb
Does Nature Win or Lose?
1. What is a biodegradable plastic?





How is it made?
Biodegradable plastic is able to break down
(disintegrate) when discarded either in dumps or in
sunlight.
It is made by using additives (such as Ecolyte and cornstarch)
which help the plastic to degrade.
2. How does biodegradable plastic affect society? Include
both positive and negative effects in your answer.
Positive:
1. Discarded plastics will
degrade after time therefore
there will be less litter on
sides of roads
2. More room in landfills
3. Great for non-recyclable
items such as diapers and
garbage bags
3. Photodegradable plastic
will save animals (no beer
can rings causing
strangulation)
Negative:
1. a license to litter attitude
2. Can not recycle biodegradable
plastic
3. It does not disintegrate
completely; leaves pieces of plastic
4. Not clear if they will break
down in real landfills
5. Not clear if it will breakdown
into safe substances
6. Actually contains more plastic,
therefore using more gas and oil
resources.
3. Outline the major objection of environmentalists to
biodegradable plastics.
1. Biodegradable plastics do not reduce the waste problem.
2. Scientists are unsure whether the plastic breaks down into
safe substances.
3. These type require more plastic material to make them,
therefore using more oil and gas resources.
4. Most biodegradable plastics can not be recycled.
5. People may not be concerned about properly disposing of
materials - thinking that they will easily decompose...
4. a) As a scientist, in your mind, what would you consider to be
the perfect plastic?
The perfect plastic would be one which is photodegradable in
case it is thrown away. However, it should be completely
recyclable so that it doesnt end up in landfills. It should take less
gas and oil to manufacturer. I still feel that alternatives to plastics
should be explored and developed, especially for consumables.
b) As the head of research and development for a large plastics
plant what factors might you consider before marketing your new
product(s)?


Factors that I would consider before marketing my new plastic
would be:
a) ability to recycle
b) ability to photodegrade, biodegrade
c) uses less gas and oil in manufacturing
d) strength and versatility
e) cost of manufacturing and marketing
f) pollution involved in production?

c) As a consumer, would you be likely to not purchase a product
unless it was in a biodegradable plastic container? Why or why
not?
As a consumer I would be more interested in whether the
container was recyclable rather than biodegradable because
recycling and reuse is better for the environment and discourages
throw away attitudes. I believe that biodegradable plastic is not a
solution to our waste problem because it is still waste with
negligible results in terms of safely disintegrating.

However I am interested in the photodegradable plastics in terms
of marine life that is killed by plastic rings and nets discarded.